July 16: 2 PM - 6 PM​Watauga County Farms

If you are into fresh berries, Bethel Valley Farms needs to be on your route! We grow 16 varieties of red raspberries, blackberries and blueberries on 8 acres making us the largest berry grower in the Tri­County area. In addition, we also grow 3 different varieties of wine grapes on 4 acres making us one of the larger wine grape growers in Appalachian High Country. We also work closely with Grandfather Winery to produce raspberry and blackberry dessert wines as well as red and white wines unique to the High Country.

Against the Grain is a great place to see many facets of small-scale agriculture in practice. Visitors have the opportunity to visit bio-dynamic vegetable fields, a high tunnel and four caterpillar tunnels full of crops. ATG is also home to pigs, beef cattle, broiler chickens and a herd of meat goats. Take a self-guided tour of the farm, chat with the farmers or sit by the creek and enjoy some homemade root beer and grilled brauts.

Horse Helpers saves sick, abused, and neglected horses, rehabilitates them and adopts them out. To care for the horses in a sustainable way we have to apply farming tools like pasture rotation, composting, and good animal care strategies. When you visit us, we will introduce you to many of the horses and tell you their recovery stories. HHHC maintains a community garden where food is shared with volunteers and raises chickens for eggs and meat. All seeds are non-GMO and heritage varieties as are our chickens. Strict adherence to heritage breeds is a way for us to promote species diversity. Come visit us and see rare chicken breeds and their babies and peruse our gardens.

As a diverse 8 acre farm, we grow Certified Organic vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, and raise pastured pigs. In 2015 we received our GAP certification. After receiving a grant from BRWIA in 2013 to help with the start up costs of raising pigs, we have expanded into breeding our sows. The tour will include touring the fields discussing our vegetable and pastured pork production, a tour of the high tunnel and low tunnels used for season extension and heat-loving crops and the new greenhouse built in 2015 used for starting seeds. We are in our 8th year of production and are happy to answer any questions from new farmers!

Contact

5) The Lily Patch Farm 1381 Joe Shoemaker Rd. Vilas, NC 28692

Named for wild Turk's Cap lilies that flourish here, The Lily Patch Farm is Watauga County's oldest organic farm. Guests can tour our seedling production greenhouse, visit the vegetables in the high tunnel, and walk "way down yonder in the Pawpaw patch". Be sure to meet our new weed­ eating crew: Nubian goats! Relax in the shade by the pond in our timber framed pavilion. Be sure to ask about our wedding and event venue rental!

Products can be found at: Mostly on-­farm. Products for sale: Plants (mostly heirloom varieties) of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, pollinators plants, and frozen Pawpaw treatsDirections: (from the intersection of Hwy 421 and Hwy 105 Bypass, just north of Boone, Not the Hwy 105 extension) Travel 5 miles from the intersection, on Hwy 421, north towards TN. You will drive through the hamlet of Vilas. After traveling 5 miles on Hwy 421, turn left onto Walls Road. Travel 3/10th mile to the end. Turn right on Joe Shoemaker Rd. Travel about 1/2 mile. Turn left at the crest of the hill onto 1381 Joe Shoemaker Rd- our farm road.

We finally have our own land! We now own a lot of pasture and woods with 800 ft. of Crab Orchard Creek and three robust springs from the mountain top. We will be tilling 2 acres of raw land for vegetables and putting up fences for goats, chickens, and pigs. We will also be planting blueberry bushes, berries, and apple trees. Guided tours offered every hour from 2:00 - 5:00.

Products can be found at: Direct ConnectDirections: From 421 (Boone): LEFT on 321. RIGHT onto hwy 421 after Cove Creek StoreLEFT onto Georges Gap Rd. LEFT onto Farmer Brown Rd. Never Ending Farm will be on your right at the top of the hill

For over 140 years, the Shipley Farm has been a landmark in the mountains of Watauga County. Founded in 1872, the farm produces tender and tasty pasture raised beef without steroids or antibiotics, and dry ­aged for enhanced flavor ­ beef the way beef used to be! The farm has an old barn, spring house, and an ice house all dating from the 1800's. Your family can come see where their food comes from!

Contact

(828) 484-1872​shipleyfarmsbeef@gmail.com​www.shipleyfarmsbeef.com

8) Herbal Oasis471 Ward Green Rd. Vilas NC, 28692

We are a small-scale farm established 4 years ago. There are 4 separate garden areas- fruits, veggies, medicinal herbs and the mint patch. There are also ducks, chickens, quail and rabbits. The main focus on the farm is medicinal herbs; they are all used for homeopathic remedies.

Products can be found at: Contacting Herbal Oasis directlyProducts available for purchase during tour: Eggs (chicken, duck, quail), veggies, fresh cut herbs, dried herbs and tinctures. Directions: The farm is in Vilas, approximately 4 miles past downtown Boone. Head down 421, towards TN. You're gonna pass the Dollar General and Quality Plus on your right. Ward Greene is on the left shortly after (right after the old Citgo). It's 1.9 miles from the 105 bypass. The farm will be down the road, on the left about .3 of a mile. The house is a big burgundy barn. There is a parking lot across from house or you can park on the street along the fencing.

Visit our unique mountaintop alpaca farm and store and connect to what matters – yourself, your family, and a real farm experience. Get close and personal with the alpacas, donkeys, goats and other animals that work and play at Apple Hill Farm. Every animal has a specific job, and many have a story as well! Apple Hill Farm is also home to the largest selection of alpaca products in the High Country of North Carolina.

Octopus Gardens is entering its third year of production at the Farmer Incubator and Grower Property in beautiful Valle Crucis. Run by Caroline Hampton, several acres are in production including vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In addition, we are raising chickens and pigs. This space continues to be collaborative, with many community members and farmers involved in projects on the land.

Waxwing Farm was founded by Kathleen Petermann in 2012, and is now in its third full season of production. 2016 has brought a lot of changes! We are in the process of transitioning to a worker -owned farm model, with 3 additional partners equally managing and contributing to the business. We have also added more cut flowers and are starting to hone in on what we do best. Come see how much we've grown!

Contact828-963-5317

12) The Farm at Mollie's Branch 156 Timber Lakes Dr. Todd NC, 28684

The Farm at Mollies Branch has been described as a most eclectic and wonderful place to visit. From a kissing llama to chickens who lay colored eggs, the farm is a glance into one family's attempt to live in an eco­ friendly environment, grow uncompromised food, and harvest safe, nutritional products from the wild. We proudly share our alternative energy: a micro­hydro electric system and solar panels provide our power. We are very kid­ friendly with a farm and craft stand.

Products can be found at: Restaurants and on ­farm Products available for purchase during tour: Produce: greens (lettuces, kale, chard), eggs by the half­-dozen, fresh and dried nettle and herbs, shiitake mushrooms. Crafts: wood creations, cairns, etc. All at a reasonable price!Directions: (from Boone) At New Market Center (off 321), turn right onto 194 N toward Todd and travel for approximately 11 miles. St. Matthews Church will be on the right. Turn right on the next marked road (Timber Lakes Dr.), cross the one ­lane bridge, take an immediate RIGHT at the mailboxes and come through the red farm gate. Park in the designated area off the driveway.

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is dedicated to strengthening the High Country's local food system by supporting women and their families with resources, education, and skills related to sustainable food and agriculture.